Chapter 216: Parasitic Insect Project Initiated, Advancing Bai Fu

After raising her total level to 110, Bai Fu was full of confidence in her current strength.

Once all her buffs were activated, her Inspiration stat could peak at 2138 points. Although this state could only last for three minutes, unless her opponent possessed life-saving methods like Cersia, three minutes was already enough for her to take down the vast majority of S+ ranks.

At her current strength, unless she was surrounded by a group of S+ ranks from the Secret Tower, or blocked by a Calamity-level from the Secret Tower, she could easily retreat even if she couldn't win in a fight.

It had taken great effort to raise her strength to this point—if she didn’t find something to do with it, wouldn’t that power have been wasted?

The first thing Bai Fu thought of was helping the Dark Domain Insect Queen gather four extra samples of the Dissociative Agent Base Sample.

She was very interested in the storyline tied to this main quest, but what intrigued her even more was the reward—【Mental Origin of the Dark Domain Insect Queen】.

According to the Dark Domain Insect Queen, this item could significantly enhance Mental Attributes. Whether she used it for herself or gave it to Scarlet Leaf, it would allow them to rid themselves of the chaotic Void Blood erosion and evolve into the 【Prophet】 race.

She planned to give the Mental Origin to Scarlet Leaf.

Since entering the Starry Sea, Scarlet Leaf had helped her a lot, even risking her life at one point. It was impossible not to be moved by that.

Bai Fu could tell that, although Scarlet Leaf never said it aloud, she was truly worried that the Void Blood within her might spiral out of control.

Helping Scarlet Leaf resolve this long-standing issue would be a way to repay her kindness and also strengthen their faction.

Even the Vow Master had said that if Scarlet Leaf could break free from the affliction of Void Blood, she could ascend to Calamity-level. A Calamity-level overseeing things would be enough for the Quiet Garden to engage in equal discussions with galactic civilizations like the Star Web Commonwealth from a position of strength.

However, there was now a very serious problem in front of Bai Fu—

Where could she find the remaining four samples?

Cersia had already shared everything she knew. After Bai Fu’s previous raid, the Secret Tower would certainly be on higher alert.

"Let’s see if those undercover players within the Secret Tower can dig up some intel. If not, then we’ll have to be more proactive—resort to interrogating people from the Secret Tower directly."

Bai Fu had Excavation‑Princess relay the message and issued a mission to reliable undercover players to investigate the whereabouts of the samples. At the same time, she ordered other infiltrators to closely monitor every move of the Secret Tower and figure out what kind of insect they were currently studying.

"Don't worry, Fu-fu! I promise to complete the mission!"

Excavation‑Princess agreed without hesitation.

However, plans never kept up with changes. Before any new information came in from her side, players who followed Cersia delivered critical intelligence.

After two months of effort, they finally found that NPC who returned to the biological laboratory ruins every year.

【His name is Didier. We found him on a planet called Tower Peak Star along the Chaos Starpath. When we first saw him, he was eating dirt.】

Eating dirt?

Bai Fu was stunned for a moment.

After a detailed explanation from the players, she realized that “eating dirt” literally meant eating dirt.

Didier had gone insane.

When the players found him, he was in a state of madness. He squatted on the ground, digging into the soil with his bare hands while chuckling eerily. After laughing for a while, he began to weep and mutter “I’m sorry” over and over again, shoving handfuls of dirt into his mouth.

Thankfully, some of the players who found him were on the Psionic Perception Path, which allowed them to calm him down and extract a lot of valuable information from him.

Before the laboratory was destroyed, Didier was the head of the Inspection Department, and therefore privy to many of its secrets.

For example, the biological lab had received funding from the Secret Tower long ago and was one of its loyal collaborators.

Initially, the lab only researched mutant beasts. But after receiving funding from the Secret Tower and under the direction of senior researcher Scalpel, it started conducting human-beast hybrid experiments.

The reason the Secret Tower attacked the lab was because one of its supply sources was accidentally caught. Fearing that exposure would jeopardize their operations, they decided to simply destroy the lab.

During the attack, the Secret Tower slaughtered many inside. Didier was also on the hit list, but happened to be away tending to a sick family member, thus narrowly escaping death.

However, the Secret Tower didn’t stop there. They dispatched a unit to hunt him down. While he was on the run, his family’s condition worsened, but he couldn’t do anything—revealing himself meant death. He could only watch helplessly as they died before his eyes. The pursuit was so relentless that he didn’t even have time to bury them and had to flee again.

The chase lasted three months. When it finally ended, he was already driven mad by fear and guilt.

Still, Didier wasn’t completely lost. He occasionally regained lucidity, which was why he returned to the ruins every year.

He came to repent. He believed his misery was retribution for participating in human experimentation.

"An NPC that regularly spawns at the ruins of the biological lab—classic quest NPC behavior."

Bai Fu quickly replied to the player: "Does Cersia know about this?"

【Not yet. We were worried it might cause trouble, so we contacted you first instead.】

"Well done."

Bai Fu sighed in relief.

The information revealed by Didier indicated that although Cersia being parasitized by the spider wasn’t part of an elaborate plot, the Secret Tower had heavily facilitated it. If Cersia learned she was working for the very group that turned her into a monster, she’d likely lose control and go berserk against them.

She was powerful, but not powerful enough to challenge the Secret Tower alone.

"Does Didier know any other secrets about the Secret Tower?" Bai Fu asked.

The players quickly replied that he did. Even after all these years, Didier still remembered a few names who were deeply colluding with the Secret Tower—names he had overheard while serving as department head.

Bai Fu opened the list the players sent.

One name caught her eye.

【Star Web Commonwealth - Representative of the Keura Tribe, Reynolds】

She had met this person on her first visit to Azure Sky Star, the Star Web’s home planet. He had seemed like a kindly old man, even warmly calling her “Saintess” when they spoke.

"This old man is in cahoots with the Secret Tower? Truly, appearances can be deceiving!"

Bai Fu initially planned to report him to Manu, but changed her mind.

Reynolds held a high position within the Star Web. Even if she stepped forward, with only a madman’s testimony and no concrete evidence, it would be hard to bring him down. If she failed, the report would only serve to alert him.

She had no interest in rooting out corruption in the Star Web—her goal was to use Reynolds to extract more intel on the Secret Tower, especially where the samples were hidden.

"Looks like I’ll have to use some less-than-legal forceful methods."

Bai Fu cracked her knuckles and instructed the players to hide Didier and not inform Cersia of his existence for now.

【What if Cersia suddenly asks about him?】

The players were concerned.

"Don’t worry, her attention will soon be elsewhere."

Bai Fu was brimming with confidence.

After comforting the players, she snapped a victory-sign selfie and sent it to Cersia.

【How do I look?】

The moment Cersia saw the picture, her face turned red.

How did she look?

Let’s just say it was excellent spell-casting material—it made her want to spin her fingers.

Cersia: 【Beautiful!】

Bai Fu: 【I’m not asking if I’m pretty. I’m asking if you noticed anything different about my body.】

Different?

Cersia looked carefully but couldn’t tell what had changed compared to the last time they cuddled. If anything, her own body had changed.

【Never mind, I’ll stop teasing you. I’ve advanced to S+ rank. Just wanted to share the good news—and I need a favor. Come to me.】

Alright, alright, I’m on my way!

Cersia temporarily set aside the Didier investigation and took only three and a half days to arrive at the Star Covenant’s Initial Gate Galaxy Cluster branch.

"Ahem… the real reason I called you here is to ask you for a favor."

Bai Fu explained Reynolds’s situation, only mentioning that the intel came from a confidential source.

"You want me to kidnap him?"

Bai Fu shook her head. "No, I’ll handle it myself. I’m just worried he might be protected by Secret Tower experts. I called you as backup. Don’t worry—I’ll pay for the commission."

Cersia glanced at Scarlet Leaf standing nearby, then simply nodded.

"Since you don’t object, let’s act immediately."

Bai Fu didn’t want to waste any time.

The insect species the Secret Tower was using for experiments on players gave her an ominous feeling. After so many setbacks, she felt the Secret Tower might be preparing to unleash a big move.

Half an hour later, Bai Fu led over a thousand players, along with Cersia, Yulia, Scarlet Leaf, Anya, and the Dark Domain Insect Queen, swiftly heading to Azure Sky Star.

The reason for bringing Anya was because she was an A-rank Mental Esper, possessing an advantage in interrogation.

Traveling from the Star Covenant branch to Azure Sky Star required crossing two galaxies, totaling eleven days. Along the way, the news continuously reported on the Secret Tower’s actions. Though the Secret Tower hadn’t launched another large-scale assault on the Initial Gate Galaxy Cluster, small-scale harassment operations hadn’t stopped, causing great frustration among the cluster’s various civilizations.

Bai Fu felt that if this situation continued to develop, the conflict between the Secret Tower and the Initial Gate Galaxy Cluster might end before Version 2.0 even launched. By then, new players entering the Starry Sea from other Newbie Planets would probably be bewildered—

【Where’s my main quest? Where did that huge main quest go?】

For her, this was good news.

If players couldn’t find other main quests, they would place their hopes on her, the one seemingly tied to the main storyline.

Eleven days later.

The ship arrived safely at Azure Sky Star.

As the homeworld of the Star Web Commonwealth, Azure Sky Star had extremely strict security. Before even disembarking, Bai Fu was recognized.

"Why didn’t you tell me before coming to Azure Sky Star?" Manu’s projection appeared within the ship, his tone full of subtle grievance.

Bai Fu laughed and made up an excuse: "I was passing by Azure Sky Star on a commission and figured I’d drop in to visit you all. How have things been lately?"

"Don’t even bring it up." Manu couldn’t help but complain. Every third sentence out of his mouth included a curse against the Secret Tower. "I’ve been working nonstop for nearly three months now without a break."

Bai Fu calmly shifted the topic toward Reynolds: "You’re so busy—aren’t Claville and Reynolds helping out?"

Manu didn’t suspect anything. "They’ve been busy too. Chairman Claville’s been in nonstop meetings these days. As for Reynolds, he left for Shudun Star just yesterday to check on the Ulyssians. I told him he could go later, but he said the Ulyssians are your friends, and he had to make sure they’re doing well on Shudun Star."

"I see."

Bai Fu kept smiling, but her heart grew heavier.

Normally, she wouldn’t overthink it, but times had changed. She knew Reynolds was connected to the Secret Tower, and the Secret Tower wanted her dead more than anything. She had to suspect that Reynolds visiting the Ulyssians had ulterior motives.

After a few perfunctory exchanges with Manu, she used the excuse of urgent commission matters to change course and rush directly to Shudun Star.

Sure enough, by the time she arrived, something had already happened.

【Name】: Samir (Infected by Dark Domain Parasite)

【Name】: Caroline (Infected by Dark Domain Parasite)

Bai Fu checked over a dozen Ulyssians’ attribute panels, and every one of them had a new status appended to their names.

At the same time, she received a game notification.

【You have been invaded by a Dark Domain Parasite. Evaluating... Evaluation successful. You have resisted the invasion.】

A contagious parasite—was this the insect the players had mentioned?

Bai Fu’s expression darkened.

That damn Secret Tower—coming after her was bad enough, but now they were targeting the Ulyssians too.

"Have you met anyone other than Reynolds recently?"

The question was odd, but the Ulyssians still answered honestly. To them, Bai Fu wasn’t just someone who looked like a savior—she was their actual savior.

"Today, we only met with Representative Reynolds. Before that, there were others. Do you want me to list their names..."

"Not for now."

Bai Fu was almost certain this was Reynolds’ doing.

Since the Secret Tower didn’t play fair, there was no need for her to play fair either.

"I’ll go have a word with Reynolds."

Just after parting from the Ulyssians, a voice suddenly rang out in Bai Fu’s mind.

【I know that insect. It’s modified from a type of Dark Domain insect larva. It won’t harm the host before activation, but once activated by the Insect Swarm Queen, it will erode the host’s mind and turn them into a node on the Dark Domain Insect Network. In human terms, they become a puppet under control.】

Bai Fu looked surprised and pulled out the Dark Domain Insect Queen.

"How do we remove these parasites?"

【Very simple.】

The Dark Domain Insect Queen grinned proudly.

【Help me undergo Metamorphosis. Once I hatch, I can command them to self-destruct. After all, I’m the legitimate Dark Domain Insect Queen.】

So it circled back to collecting Base Samples again?

Bai Fu nodded. Fine—this was the whole reason she sought Reynolds. Learning that the Secret Tower was spreading parasites externally was, surprisingly, good news.

Though it was too late to prevent it, knowing the Secret Tower’s moves in advance would make handling them much easier.

"Let’s go have a proper conversation with dear Mr. Reynolds about where he hid the rest of the Base Samples."

Bai Fu waited until nightfall before making her move.

A dark and windy night—perfect for murder and arson.

Shudun Grand Hotel, Shudun Star.

After dinner, Reynolds sat at his desk idly flipping through an e-book. Nearby, a traditional-style pendulum clock ticked rhythmically, making the quiet night feel even quieter.

He had come to Shudun Star on orders from the Secret Tower, tasked with releasing a special parasite to the Ulyssians.

As a cunning man, he immediately understood that the Secret Tower Master was trying to retaliate against Bai Fu. Since she was close to the Ulyssians, they were used as pawns.

He wasn’t worried that Bai Fu would suspect him. The parasites weren’t set to activate for some time.

In that span, many would have contact with the Ulyssians—why would she suspect him?

"Being targeted by the Secret Tower is no joke. Even with the Star Covenant backing you, you’re not escaping retaliation."

Reynolds chuckled and shook his head.

Just then, he sensed a sudden breeze stir in the room.

Something was off!

Reynolds shot to his feet, only to see a woman standing by the window, her smile as radiant and captivating as a blooming rose.

"Bai Fu!"

When did she come in?

"Who do you think is scarier—me, or the Secret Tower?"

A spinning Spinning Demon Blade suddenly appeared in Bai Fu’s hand.

Reynolds said, "Saintess, what brings you to me at this hour?"

Bai Fu snapped, "The Dark Domain Parasites infecting the Ulyssians—those were planted by you. As the Keura Tribe’s representative in the Star Web Commonwealth, colluding with the Secret Tower... Reynolds, you’ve got some nerve."

The moment he heard this, Reynolds’ heart nearly jumped out of his chest. He forced himself to stay calm. "Saintess, I don’t understand what you’re saying. What Dark Domain para—"

He couldn’t finish.

Because the Spinning Demon Blade in Bai Fu’s hand had stopped right at his throat—ready to slice it open at any moment.

"Don’t bother calling for help. It’s pointless. Anya has sealed your room with psychic power. If you confess your ties to the Secret Tower, I might let you suffer less."

Reynolds panicked.

He had no idea how he’d been exposed. Even if Bai Fu didn’t kill him, if she revealed his dealings with the Secret Tower, he was finished.

Stay calm.

He might still have a chance.

The Secret Tower had stationed an S+ rank Psionicist nearby. If he lost contact for ten minutes, that Psionicist would immediately notice and come to rescue him.

The Secret Tower had told him: although Bai Fu had shown godlike might at Jingu Star, her actual energy intensity wasn’t at Calamity level. She had likely gained temporary power, but her base level was still S+.

As long as that Secret Tower S+ launched an attack, everything would turn around.

Right now, all he had to do was stall ten minutes—then wait for that Secret Tower S+ to kill Bai Fu.